* Fig Culture % 

IN 

CALIFORNIA, 

AND 



HOW IT CAN BE MADE A GREAT 
INDUSTRY. 

. FULL TEXT 

OF A LETTER FROM THE STATE BOARD OF 

TRADE 

TO 



HON. JAiHES WILSON, 

U. S. Secretary of Agriculture. 



fruit growing- is destined to be the ultimate glory of California." 

Horace Greeley, 1859. 



EXHIBIT ROOMS: 

16 POST STREET, 

San Francisco. 



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FULL TEXT 



OF A LETTER FROM THE STATE BOARD OF 

TRADE 



-TO- 



HOM. JAMBS WILSON, 



IT. S. Secretary of Agriculture. 



Hon James Wilson, 

Si en in ry of j lyricuUure, 

Washington, 1). C. 

Dear Sir: — The California State Board of Trade is an Associa- 
tion of citizens of the State of California, having- for its object the 
encouragement of the industrial interests of the State. With this 
object in view it solicits your interest in a matter which, if in telli. 
gently carried out, must redound to the advantage of this State and 
to the United States. 

For the fiscal year ending June 30, 1896, there was imported into 
the United States 11,900,700 lbs. of figs valued at the port of export 
at $639,512.00, a trine over 5 cts. and 3 mills per pound. This sum 
does not accurately represent the value of the importation. In Octo- 
ber of each year nearly all of these figs are sold in the City of New 
York; the Report on Commerce and Navigation showing that of the 
amount named as imported, 9, 981, 351 lbs. were imported into that City. 
These iigs are sold at auction and the prices realized are between 9 
and 28 cts. per pound. Assuming that the average sum paid was 10 



cts. per pound, the amount paid to exporters in foreign countries for 
figs averages about $1, '200, (00 a year. We undertake to show you 
how this sum can be saved to the people of the United States. 

It is well understood that the major portion of fig importations 
come from Turkey. The statistics of your Department show that of 
the above named importation, 10,283,906 lbs. came direct from 
Turkey in Asia and 1,236,751 lbs. came from the United Kingdom. 
The trade understands that the latter amount represents figs which 
went from Tui'key to England and thence were exported to the 
United States. These figs are known as "Smyrna Figs" and are the 
standard fig of commerce. There excellence consists in having a 
fertile seed which imparts to the fruit a peculiar fruity flavor, recog- 
nized by all consumers of the fruit. 

In 1880 there was imported from Smyrna to this State by Mr. 
G. P. Rixford, a large number of cuttings of the so-called Smyrna 
fio- trees, which were planted in different portions of the State. Much 
was expected of this importation, but none of the trees have borne 
any fruit. In the course of time Professor Gustav Eisen, of the 
Academy of Sciences, announced the theory t .at the Smyrna fig- 
needed the intervention of a wasp, (Blastophoga psenesi, to pollenate 
the female flowers of the edible fig, (ficis carica.) The correctness 
of this theory has received abundant proof in this State. In 1891 
Professor Eisen and Mr. E. W. Maslin, a member of this Board, 
who had a large plantation of seedling Smyrna figs, discovered at 
Niles, in Alameda County, a wild fig tree (ficus capri), growing -n a 
plantation of figs which grew from the Rixford cuttings. These 
Capri figs contained fully developed and abundant pollen. 
The pollen was transferred by means of a quill tooth pick 
to about fifty figs growing on trees of the Rixford importation, 
which for 8 or 9 years had matured no edible fruit. Every fig so 
pollenated matured into an edible fig — sweet, succulent and bearing 
(so-called) fertile seed and having the exact flavor of the imported 
Smyrna fig This experiment was tried in several succeeding years 
with like result. 

In 18S4 the seeds of imported Smyrna commercial figs were 
planted in Placer County oy a member of this Board to the extent 
of 20 acres. The plants therefrom grew into large vigorous trees 



and are still growing-, but up to this time, though bearing abund- 
antly, the fruit is a hybrid between the Smyrna fig and the Capri fig 
and falls to the ground. It has therefore been accepted as a fact in 
this State that neither the trees growing from imported cuttings of 
the Smyrna fig tree, nor the trees growing from seeds of the import- 
ed Smyrna figs will produce mature edible fruit. 

It is now well understood that in Smyrna the commercial fig is 
not matured without the aid of a wasp called Blastophoga. The 
process by which the edible fig (ficus carica) is matured is called 
caprification. In a few words it may be said that the edible fig bears 
only female flowers, the wild fig, (ficus capri), bears male flowers. 
The growers in June or July hang among the boughs of the edible 
fig a number of the Capri fig from which proceed the wasp, bearing 
the pollen from the male flowers of the Capri figs. Following their 
instinct to lay their eggs they enter the edible fig and finding no gall 
flowers in which to lay their eggs they scatter the pollen from the 
Capri fig over the stigma of the female flower of the Carica fig; — the 
result bein;* the maturity of the edible figs — all other figs not so fer- 
tilized falling to the ground. 

Mr. Shinn, of Niles, Alameda County, and Mr. George C. Roed- 
ing, of Fresno County, have imported the Capri figs to this State, 
receiving them in June and July. Upon opening the figs the Blasto- 
phoga were found in abundance. They seemed at once to grow rap- 
idly and were very vigorous, but all efforts to induce them to enter 
either the figs, Capri or Carica, were fruitless. 

It must be understood that the Capri fig has three crops — first 
the "Mamme, " second the "Profichi, " and third the "Mammoni. " 
As Professor Eisen has shown, the hibernating "Mamme," or first 
crop, has a few male flowers; the second crop or "Profichi" has 
many male flowers, many gall flowers and no female flowers; the 
third crop or "Mammoni" has no male flowers, many gall flowers 
and a few female flowers. 

In the second crop of the Smyrna figs nearly all the flowers are 
perfectly developed female flowers. It appears that the time of the 
development of the male flowers in the "Profichi" crop of the Capri 
tig is co-incident with the State of receptivity of the female flowers 
of the second crop of the Smyrna fig. This occurs in Smyrna, and 



y 



— 4 — 

would occur in California in June or July of each year. 

Enough experiments have been made in California to show that 
the importation of the Blastophoga in the fig detached from the tree 
will not be available. 

Professor Baehr and Professor Eisen, both of the Academy of 
Sciences, concur in the opinion that the only means by which we can 
introduce the wasp into this State is by the direct importation of the 
ficus capri with formed figs thereon containing the pupa of the wasp. 
Professor Eisen sent to the State Board of Trade, not less than six 
times, from Mexico, Blastophoga which he found in that country. 
These wasps were sent to different parts of the State to persons hav- 
ing the ficus carica and capri growing, but with no results. Profes- 
sor Koeble reports that importations from Mexico will not avail, as 
in his opinion each variety of ficu j has its own species of Blastophoga 
and it is doubtful if any of the Mexican species will work in the wild 
or capri fig. 

Mr. George Roeding reports to the Board that during the past six 
years he has received from Smyrna at different times specimens of 
capri figs containing Blastophoga. Many of the figs arrived in good 
condition and when cut open insects swarmed in large numbers, but 
all efforts failed to induce them to enter either the Smyrna or 
Capri fig. 

It is the concensus of opinion among scientific and practical per- 
sons who have experimented that the only feasible method of intro- 
ducing the wasp into the State is by the importation in winter 
months of the capri fig tree with the figs upon it. 

The method of effecting the establishment of the growing trees, 
with fruit containing the wasp, may be left to your judgment. But 
we beg to suggest that some one of experience and tact be sent to 
Smyrna and engage in the culture of the Capri fig. They could be 
grown in pots until fruited and then ship them to the experimental gar- 
den at Washington, or to one of the experimental stations in California 
where the outdoor climate is similar to that of the most favorable part 
of the world . One plan suggested is to send branches with attached 
figs containing the wasp, placing the ends in moist earth, and giving 
attention to them upon the voyage. Upon arrival the cuttings could 
be placed in water. By this means enough moisture would be ab- 



sorbed by the branches to induce the development of the fruit in 
the Spring-. It will not d-> to send the fruit detached. Mr. Roeding 
reports that experience has taught him that insects cannot be 
brought out in the pupa state, if the figs are Sent detached. 

Plantations, both of Carica and Capri figs in California, are ready 
foi this experiment. In 1880 Mr Rixford's importation of Smyrna 
figs, and later the importation of Smyrna figs by the late Governor 
Stanford, are growing in different parts of the State. Capri figs are 
also growing bearing matured fruit ready for the reception of the 
wasp, when it can be imported and received, at the proper time. 

It is not necessary to enlarge upon the great importance of 
establishing the culture of the standard commercial fig — known as 
the Smyrna fig, in this country. We have shown that we pay an- 
nually to Turkey in Asia and other minor countries, the sum of 
$1,200,000, for imported figs, all of which could be saved to the people 
of the United States. 

When once the culture is established plantations would increase, 
with a certainty of great profit. 

We submit a request that your Department send, as suggested, 
some one, already advised and experienced, to Smyrna — or if not 
expedient for lack of funds, then thai you interest yourself so far as 
to obtain from Congress an appropriation of money sufficient to en- 
able you to carry out the object outlined in this paper. 
Respectfully yours, 

THE CALIFORNIA STATE BOARD OF TRADE. 
By E. VV. Maslin, 
J. A. FlLCHER, 

B. N. Rowley, 

Committee. 






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